Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

796. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has been notified of the possible loss of jobs at an airline (details supplied); the engagement she has had with the airline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13173/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My sincere thoughts are with all employers and employees faced with the prospect of forced restructuring and redundancies at this difficult time.  Many sectors and industries have been badly affected by the measures the Irish Government, like many other governments across the globe, has had to take in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  It is probably fair to say that sectors associated with travel, tourism and aviation have been affected more than most.

The Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes a number of obligations on employers who are proposing collective redundancies, including an obligation under sections 9 and 10 to engage in an information and consultation process with employees’ representatives and to provide certain information relating to the proposed redundancies. Section 11A of the Act provides that, where an employee believes the employer to be in breach of sections 9 or 10, they may pursue a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).  It is an offence under the Act for an employer to fail to comply with sections 9 or 10.

There is also an obligation under section 12 which makes it mandatory on employers proposing a collective redundancy to notify the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection of the proposed collective redundancy.  I received official notification of the proposed collective redundancies in CityJet in a letter dated 21st May 2020, which my officials inform me complied with the requirements under section 12 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977.

An employer is prohibited from issuing any notice of redundancy during the mandatory employee information and consultation period (required by the 1977 Act) and until 30 days have elapsed from the date on which the Minister has been notified.  For the avoidance of doubt, the 30 day mandatory information and consultation process and the aforementioned 30 day period from the date of notification to the Minister may run concurrently.

Negotiations between employees and their employers are governed by the Industrial Relations Act 1990, which comes under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

I do not have the legal authority to direct an outcome in the mandatory consultations between employers and employee representatives.  The WRC is the organisation which is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation.  If employees have any concerns or complaints regarding their employment rights they should contact the Customer Service section of the WRC, who operate a telephone helpline at 1890 808090.  They can provide further information in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, and how to obtain redress where appropriate.

Finally, my Department’s Intreo service is available to assist all workers of CityJet in terms of income supports and job-seeking over the coming weeks and months.  The Department provides a detailed list of contact numbers for each Intreo centre on its website at .

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.